As a pet owner, you may have thought of your pet as a member of your family. Pets keep us company, make us laugh or smile, uplift our mood, and in some cases guard our houses against intruders. In general, having them around makes us feel good — and this feeling has been studied by experts for its practical application in the fields of medicine and psychology. 

Why Pet Therapy?

Research suggests pet ownership can bring about many health benefits, not just in our physiological status, but also in our mental and social well-being. A 2009 study by Erika Friedmann even uncovered that it is not necessary to become a pet owner because just being in the presence of a companion animal can also bring about these benefits.

This is why pet therapy is gaining more and more interest and popularity nowadays. Many hospitals have already adopted an animal therapy program, and even nursing homes have contributed to traction. Some programs have even turned to pets to help tutor children, while some non-profit organizations also made these pets' presence available to provide comfort in disaster-stricken areas.

Medical practitioners may admit that more research is still needed, as the practice has outpaced research efforts. Nonetheless, the idea of pet therapy has been around for a long time, maybe as far back as the 1700s, when doctors incorporated this in their psychiatric practice.

Pet Therapy Definition

Pet therapy is simply a supervised interaction between a patient and a trained animal. The therapy may consist of the animal helping patients with their health problems. This goes whether they are recovering or coping from a physical illness or a mental health disorder. On the other hand, pet therapy also encompasses animal-assisted activities, which serve a more general-purpose, such as cheering up residents in nursing homes.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

The American Heart Association says owning a dog is good for your heart, as it may protect you from certain cardiovascular diseases. Their 2019 study showed that pet owners, more specifically those with dogs, are in better health conditions than those people without pets. This can be attributed to the fact that pet owners are more engaged in physical activities (could be due to their pets, too), so their cholesterol and triglyceride levels are lower than their counterparts. Research also revealed that people who had pets of any kind also had increased chances of surviving heart attacks.

Furthermore, it has been found that pet therapy is beneficial for our mental health, as it can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Pets, especially dogs, are touted as loyal companions, so they can help reduce loneliness and depression. In some cases, pets provide that motivation to join group activities, fostering social interaction, and thereby reducing boredom or that feeling of isolation.

Which animals can be good for pet therapy?

Dogs are a natural choice for pet therapy. Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers are the most popular dog breeds for such. Other breeds will do as well, as long as they are well-trained, sociable, and comfortable being touched. 

Cats are also among the top choices for animals for pet therapy. Children and the elderly have been found to be benefiting most from their time with cats in therapy. Just like therapy dogs, they should be tolerant around other people and should display a calm demeanor.

Other animals such as horses, rabbits, fish, and guinea pigs can also be therapy pets. To ensure that you gain the benefits of pet therapy, it would be best to select an animal whose behavior has been thoroughly researched. Keep in mind that some exotic animals may be unpredictable when it comes to their reaction to stress and other stimuli.

Keeping Pet Therapy Safe

When choosing to undergo pet therapy, make sure that you have a safe and sanitary environment. In most cases, pet therapy is administered by a doctor or therapist. 

Review the certification and training of the animal handler to ensure that they are knowledgeable about the program. Some people also may show allergic reactions to animal dander so it is best to note your allergy history. 

If you have decided to keep an animal as a pet, be prepared to take care of it and give it a good home. They are sources of unconditional love, and the least you can do is be a responsible pet parent.